Presenter: K. N. Bhatt
Title: Finger Millet for Nutrition, Health and Ecological Security: SFMI
Date: June 5, 2015
Venue: Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
Sponsor: SRI-Rice
1447 Finger Millet for Nutrition, Health and Ecological Security: SFMI
1. Finger Millet for Nutrition, Health and
Ecological Security:
Increasing its Productivity through SFMI
A Presentation
Cornell Institute for Public Affairs ,
Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
June 5, 2015
Dr. K. N. Bhatt
G.B. Pant Social Science Institute
University of Allahabad, Jhusi, Allahabad-211 019 (U.P., India)
Email: knbhatt1@rediffmail.com, Fax: +915322569214,Mobile: +919454951081
2. Finger Millet for Nutrition, Health and
Ecological Security:
Increasing its Productivity through SFMI
K.N. Bhatt*
Presentation Focus
Examine inter-linkages between incoming climate change
and Sustainable Agriculture
* G.B. Pant Social Science Institute, University of Allahabad, Jhusi, Allahabad- 211019 (U.P., India).
3. Analyze Finger Millet (Ragi) as climate change
compliant crop (CCCC) with ecological, food,
biodiversity, nutrition, health securities
Explore feasibility of Finger Millet production with
second SRI (SFMI), product diversification, markets,
institutional alliances its impact on aspects of social and
distributive justice,
4. Introduction
Genetic resources key components of sustainability,
resilience and adaptability in production systems
CC new challenges for world’s genetic resources for food
and agriculture
2050 Additional 3 billion people a 60 percent increase in
global food production (FAO, 2015: vi, x)
World’s crops production to be negatively affected by CC.
5. About 0.7 degree Celsius warming projected to 1.1 to 6.4
Celsius increase by 2100 (WWIR, 2009:15).
Food grain output threatened by CC if av. temp. reach
2.0 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial level.
Land uses and food production systems highest
greenhouse gas emitters
Land use change, sustainable agricultural practices,
regenerating forests ways to cool planet
6. India in Context
12% to GDP contributed by Indian agriculture 2012-13
50% population dependent on agriculture.
India’s Gangotri Glacier supplies 70% water to Ganga
retreating 35 meters yearly.
40% India’s cropland and 400 million people
dependent for water on Ganga
7. India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, 2008
for mitigation and adaptation focuses on:
Solar Energy
Energy Efficiency
Sustainable Habitat
Water
Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem
Green India
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable Knowledge
8. Towards Sustainable Agriculture and Climate
friendly Food System
3,000 identified edible plant species only 10 annual cereal
grains, legumes, oilseeds in 80% world crop land half of it
covered by Wheat, Rice and Maize (WWIR, 2009: 37).
World’s 925 m. people suffer chronic hunger; more than
this overweight and obese, 1 b. face starvation; one-third
global population suffer from micronutrient deficiencies
(Frison et al., 2011: 240)
Challenge: improving yields of major nutrients with
climate friendly sustainable agriculture
9. Climate friendly and climate resilient agriculture:
“An agricultural landscape should simultaneously provide
food and fiber, meet the needs of nature and biodiversity, and
support viable livelihoods for people who live there… should
actively absorb and store carbon in vegetation and soils,
reduce emissions of methane from rice production, livestock,
and burning, and reduce nitrous oxide emissions from
inorganic fertilizers.” (WWIR, 2009, p. 33).
10. Minor Millets: Future of Farming and Food
Minor millets grown for food and fodder
Two types of millets
Major millets (sorghum/Jowar, pearl or Spiked millet/
Bajra)
Minor millets (finger millet, proso millet, little millet,
foxtail or Italian millet, barnyard millet, kodo millet
11. Minor Millets: Different Names
Language Finger/
Birdsfood/
Coracana/
African
Millet
German/
Italian/
Foxtail Millet
Kodo/
Ditch
Millet
Barnyard/
Japanese
Millet
Little
Millet
Common/
broomcorn/
Hog/
Hershey/
Porso millet
Bangali Marwa Kaun Kodo Shama Sama Cheena
Gujrati Nagi/Bavto Kang Kodra - Gajro Cheno
Hindi Ragi/
Marwah
Kakun Kodon Sanwa Kutki/
Shava
Cheena/Barri
Kannada Ragi Navane Harka Oodalu Sama/Save Baragu
Marathi Nagli/
Nachni
Kang/Rala Kodra - Sava/Halvi Vari
Oriya Mandika Kanghu/Kora Kodua Khira Suan China
Punjabi Mandhuka Kangni Kodra Swank Swank Cheena
Tamil Keppal/
Ragi
Tenai Varadu Kathiraivolly Samai Pani Varagu
Telugu Ragi Chodi Korra Arikelu/
Arika
Kodisama Samalu Variga
Source: Millet Network of India (MINI), Deccan Development Society (DDS), Food First Information and Action
Network (FIAN): Millets: Future of Foods and Farming, p. 2.
12. Finger Millet
Sixth most important grain in the world
8% planted area (4 m. ha.) and 11% production (4.5 m.
metric t./annum) of all millets globally (Oduori and Kanyenji,
2007:10; Okwadi, 2007: 102)
Finger Millet Climate change compliant crop (CCCC)
can withstand 3 challenges
Warming stress
Water stress
Nutrition stress
13. Grown from sea level to 8,000 feet above sea level
India’s Commission of Agricultural Cost and Prices, 2010
on Finger Millet (Ragi):
“Ragi is a very hardy crop as well as a grain of great nutritive
value. Ragi is grown in most of the states under dry land
conditions, mainly by small and marginal farmers. Once
harvested, the seeds keep extremely well and are seldom
attacked by insects/pests. The long storage capacity makes
Ragi an important crop in risk avoidance strategies for poorer
farming communities. This crop has the potential to improve
nutrition, boost food security and foster rural development…
The Commission recommends that in order to ensure food
security, coarse cereals should be included as a component of
ongoing National Food Security Mission.”
pp. 173-74
14. Finger Millet: a miracle Grain of rain-fed areas
India’s 200 m. htr (62% geographical area) in rain-fed
agriculture category in several agro-ecological zones
(12th
plan approach paper, 2011, p. 96).
56% cropped area rain-fed agriculture, 45% cereals
grown under rainfed conditions
(12th
plan approach paper, 2011, p. 96).
50% to 75% of total rural household income contributed
by livestock in drylands and mountain ecosystems
(12th
plan approach paper, 2011, p. 97).
15. Holistic Farming System: Several mixed crops with
finger millet varieties of both pulses and oilseeds
Very little water required
Sugarcane - 2000-2200 mm rainfall
Banana - 2000-2200 mm rainfall
Rice - 1200-1300 mm rainfall
Ragi - 350- 400 mm rainfall
(MINI, DDS, FIAN: p.4)
16. No irrigation only 20% rainfall compared to sugarcane
and banana
Adaptable to wide range of ecological conditions: grows
even in saline soil
Productivity level:
1-2 t./h.
2-3.5 t./h. hybrid varieties
90 – 100 days crop (VPKAS, 2007)
17. Only farmyard manures & bio-fertilizers required
Pest-free crop
No storage pests as well (23 Years old seeds as Example)
No pesticides required
India’s huge fertilizers and pesticides subsidies benefit
only 20% rich farmers will be reduced
18. Boon to Agricultural Environment
Wheat: thermal sensitive crop may disappear with 2
degrees Celsius temperature rise, provide only food
security
Rice: grown with standing water dangerous under
climate change: water drenched rice fields emanate
Methane – a GHG
Finger Millet multiple securities: food, fodder, health,
nutrition, fibre, livelihood and ecological for
agricultural security
19. Finger Millet Nutrition Contents
Finger Millet 3 to 5 times superior to rice and wheat in
proteins, minerals and vitamins
17.8 times fibre than rice
34.4 times more calcium than rice
20 times more iron than rice
Beta Carotene abundant rice has zero
20. Nutrients Composition of Ragi, Rice and Wheat
Contents Ragi Wheat Rice
Protein (%) 9.27 11.80 6.80
Fat (%) 1.35 1.50 0.50
Fibre (%) 3.56 1.20 0.20
Mineral Salt (%) 2.11 1.50 0.60
Carbohydrate (%) 74.73 71.20 78.20
Energy (Kcal/ 100g) 348 346 345
Thiamine (Mg. per 100g.) 0.42 0.49 0.06
Riboflavin (Mg. per 100g.) 0.19 0.17 0.06
Niacin (Mg. per 100g.) 1.1 4.3 1.9
Zinc (Mg. per 100g.) 3.3 2.2 1.3
Chromium (Mg. per 100g.) 0.028 0.006 0.003
Manganese (Mg. per 100g.) 5.49 2.29 0.51
Magnesium (Mg. per 100g.) 137 132 64
Iron (Mg. per 100g.) 14.03 4.90 0.70
Calcium (Mg. per 100g.) 344 48 10
Potassium (Mg. per 100g.) 408 315
Source: Goplan, G, B.B. Ramshastri and S.C. Balasubrahmanium (1999): Nutritive Value of Indian Foods, National
Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Cited in Srivastava, Sarita (2008): Mandua Ke Paushtik Byanjan, G.B. Pant
University of Agriculture and Technology, pantnagar, p.44
21. Finger Millet Health Solutions
High calcium rich for bone formation of children
Slimming Solution: Slow digestion
Diabetic Solution:
Thiamine, Riboflavin, Chromium, Potassium, Zinc,
Magnesium, Manganese required in treatment of
diabetic patients are relatively high in Finger Millet in
natural form.
22. Ragi Soup Known for its qualities as pain killer
Maintains body temperature in winters
Sudama’s wife says:
“कोदो, सवाँ” जुरिरितो भरिरि पेट, तौ चाहतित ना “दिधि दूधि िमिठौती”।
सीत िबितीत भरयो िसिसयातिहत, हतौं हतठती पै तुरम्हतें न हतठौती॥
(Narotam Das, 1605 AD, Sudama Charit)
23. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati,
baby food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-
Rusk, Biscuits, Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati,
Poha, Namkeens, Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition,
College of Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
24. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati,
baby food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-
Rusk, Biscuits, Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati,
Poha, Namkeens, Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition,
College of Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
25. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati,
baby food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-
Rusk, Biscuits, Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati,
Poha, Namkeens, Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition,
College of Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
26. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati,
baby food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-
Rusk, Biscuits, Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati,
Poha, Namkeens, Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition,
College of Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
27. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati,
baby food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-
Rusk, Biscuits, Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati,
Poha, Namkeens, Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition,
College of Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
28. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati,
baby food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-
Rusk, Biscuits, Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati,
Poha, Namkeens, Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition,
College of Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
29. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati, baby
food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-Rusk, Biscuits,
Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati, Poha, Namkeens,
Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of
Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
Presentation on Ragi in College of Agri-Business Management,
GBPUAT, Pantnagar, 20.10.2010
30. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati,
baby food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-
Rusk, Biscuits, Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati,
Poha, Namkeens, Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition,
College of Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
31. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati,
baby food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-
Rusk, Biscuits, Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati,
Poha, Namkeens, Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition,
College of Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
VPKAS, ICAR, Almora, Hawalbagh Campus, Ragi Farm, 21.10.2010
32. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati,
baby food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-
Rusk, Biscuits, Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati,
Poha, Namkeens, Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition,
College of Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
Ragi, Displayed at VPKAS, Lab Hawalbagh
Campus, Almora
Ragi, from VPKAS, Hawalbagh , Almora, Farm,
21.10.2010
33. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati, baby
food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-Rusk, Biscuits,
Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati, Poha, Namkeens,
Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of
Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
Ragi full Plants with Seeds and Stems, from VPKAS, Hawalbagh , Almora, Farm, 21.10.2010
34. Ragi Foods Variety
Sprouted, Sprouted Salad, roasted seeds, flour, Chapati, baby
food, Halua, Barfi, Laddoo, Chikki, Cake, Cake-Rusk, Biscuits,
Bread, Kachauri, Cheela, Bhelpuri, Bati, Poha, Namkeens,
Sewai, Dosa, Idli.
Visuals follow:
(Visuals Source: Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of
Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar)
Presentation on Ragi in VPKAS, ICAR Lab, Hawalbagh Campus,
Almora, 21.10.2010
35. Social and Distributive Justice
Finger Millet: Food security of poor
840 m. India’s population sustaining on less than Rs.
20 per capita/day consumption expenditure (National
Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector 2008)
540 m. rural
Indian Jajmani System of Inam Lands
36. Inam lands mostly dry and least productive suitable
only for millets production
White and bright green revolution crops replaced
black
Millets production: direct benefits to poorest with
highly positive forward and backward linkages for
development of Indian economy
37. Depleting Finger Millet
Shrinking cultivation areas: declined 2.64% per annum
1986-87 – 2007-08 (CACP, 2010: 173)
Declining state support may disappear in next 50 years
Civilization and ecological disaster
India still largest producer and consumer
Skills for its production available in rural all India
38. All India Trends in Area, Production and
Yield of Ragi and Rice
Particulars 1986-87 2007-08 Compound Growth
Rate (1986-87 – 2007-
08)
Ragi Rice Ragi Rice Ragi Rice
Area
‘000 ha
2397 41154 1366 43796 -2.64 0.30
Production
‘000 tonnes
2586 60906 1983 93947 -1.26 2.09
Yield
Kg./Ha
1078 1480 1437 2145 1.38 1.78
Source: CACP, 2010: p. 457
39. Increasing Finger Millet Productivity
SRI Principles applied to increase Finger Millet
production: Second SRI
Applied in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand,
Karnataka, Uttarakhand in India and Tigray, Amhara,
Oromia in Ethiopia
(Reported in sri.ciifad.cornell.edu/aboutsri/othercrops/
fingermillet/accessed on 8.4.15)
3-4 times more production without new varieties
with mostly organic inputs (Pradan and SDTT)
40. Finger Millet Cultivation Cost-benefit/acre (in INR)
Components Traditional
methods
SRI methods
Seeds and nursery preparation 150 127.50
Field preparation 1262 1460
Nutrient inputs 4205 7255
Irrigation costs 796 1592
Weed control 1980 1056
Crop protection costs 432 432
Harvesting costs 3564 3432
Total operational costs 12389 15355
Management costs (10% of total ) 1239 1535
Total cost of production 13628 16890
Value of production (INR 20/kg.) 8000
(400 kgx20 INR)
25000
(1250 kgx20 INR)
Net profit -5628 8110
Production cost per kg of grain 34.07 13.51
Source: Cultivating Finger Millet with SRI Principles: A Training Manual, PRADAN, SDTT and SRI
Consortium Chhattishgarh, India, sri.ciifad.cornell.edu/aboutsri/.../fingermillet/In_SFMI_Pradan.pdf
41. India’s 2011-12 budget:
“While we ensure food for all, we must also promote balanced
nutrition. Bajra, jowar, ragi and other millets are highly
nutritious and are known to possess several medicinal
properties. The availability and consumption of these
Nutri-cereals is, however, low and has been steadily
declining over recent years. A provision of Rs 300 crore is
being made to promote higher production of these cereals,
upgrade their processing technologies and create
awareness regarding their health benefits. This initiative
would provide market linked production support to ten
lakh millet farmers in the arid and semi-arid regions of the
country. The programme would be taken up in 1000
compact blocks covering about 25,000 villages. This will
help improve nutritional security and increase feed and
fodder supply for livestock.”
42. Source: Cultivating Finger Millet with SRI Principles: A Training Manual, PRADAV, SDTT and SRI
Consortium Chhattishgarh, India, sri.ciifad.cornell.edu/aboutsri/.../fingermillet/In_SFMI_Pradan.pdf
43. Source: Cultivating Finger Millet with SRI Principles: A Training Manual, PRADAV, SDTT and SRI
Consortium Chhattishgarh, India, sri.ciifad.cornell.edu/aboutsri/.../fingermillet/In_SFMI_Pradan.pdf
44. Crafting Markets for Ragi
Three Methods
Policy changes at Central and State Governments’
Finger Millet foods mix for Indian Defense Forces,
Indian Railways, PSUs, Mid-Day Meal, Academic
Institutions Hostels
Multiple sources awareness generation: breaking
information asymmetry, example Lauki and Aloe-
vera
45. Conclusion
Finger Millet a CCCC
Socio-ecological returns to farmers: CC, Bio-diversity,
water conservation, organic food
High nutritive values with major and micro nutrients
All India crop: existing skills for more production
46. Equity ensuring crop system
Increased production with Second SRI
Finger Millet foods in Indian defense forces,
Railways, ICDS, Schools, Colleges and Hostels, baby
foods, PSUs
Livestock feed for enhanced milk production
Intrinsically bio-diverse
People centered and people directed R&D on Ragi.
47. References
Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) (2010): Reports of the CACP for the Crops
Sown During 2009-10 Season, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of
Agriculture, Government of India, New Delhi.
Department of Foods and Nutrition, College of Home Sciences, GBPUAT, Pantnagar
FAO (2015): Climate Change Coping with the Roles of Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture, The United Nations, Rome.
Frison, Emile A., Jeremy Cherfas and Toby Hodgkin (2011), “Agricultural Biodiversity is Essential
for a Sustainable Improvement in Food and Nutrition Security”, Sustainability, 3, 238-
253.
Flavin, Christopher and Robert Engelman (2009): The Perfect Storm in State of the World 2009:
Confronting Climate Change, Worldwatch Institute, Earthscan, London, Pp. 5-12.
Goplan, G, B.B. Ramshastri and S.C. Balasubrahmanium (1999): Nutritive Value of Indian Foods,
National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, Cited in Srivastava, Sarita (2008): Mandua
Ke Paushtik Byanjan, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar,
p.44
Hare, W.L. (2009): A Safe Landing for the Climate in State of the World 2009: Confronting
Climate Change, Worldwatch Institute, Earthscan, London, Pp. 13-29.
Millet Network of India (MINI), Deccan Development Society (DDS), Food First Information and
Action Network (FIAN): Millets: Future of Foods and Farming.
Narotam Das (1605 ): Sudama Charit.
National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector (NCEUS) (2008), “A Special
Programme for Marginal and Small Farmers”, Report, New Delhi, Government of India,
48. Oduori, Chrispus and B Kanyenji (2007) “Finger Millet in Kenya: Importance, Advances in R&D,
Challenges and Opportunities for Improved Production and Profitability” in MA
Mgonja, JM Lenné, E Manyasa and S Sreenivasaprasad (Eds), Finger Millet Blast
Management in East Africa: Creating Opportunities for Improving Production and
Utilization of Finger Millet, ICRISAT, Proceedings of the First International Finger Millet
Stakeholder Workshop, Projects R8030 & R8445 UK Department for International
Development–Crop Protection Programme, September 13-14, 2005 at Nairobi, ICRISAT,
Kenya, SAARI, Uganda and Warwick, HRI, UK, pp. 10-22.
Okwadi, Julius (2007) “Importance and Characteristics of Finger Millet Processing in Uganda” in
MA Mgonja, JM Lenné, E Manyasa and S Sreenivasaprasad (Eds), Finger Millet Blast
Management in East Africa: Creating Opportunities for Improving Production and
Utilization of Finger Millet, ICRISAT, Proceedings of the First International Finger Millet
Stakeholder Workshop, Projects R8030 & R8445 UK Department for International
Development–Crop Protection Programme, September 13-14, 2005 at Nairobi, ICRISAT,
Kenya, SAARI, Uganda and Warwick, HRI, UK, pp. 102-111.
Pachauri, R.K. (2009): Foreword in State of the World: Confronting Climate Change 2009,
Worldwatch Institute, Earthscan, London, Pp. xvi-xviii.
Scherr, Sara J. and Sajal Sthapit (2009): Farming and Land Use to Cool the Planet in State of the
World 2009: Confronting Climate Change, Worldwatch Institute, Earthscan, London,
Pp. 30-49.
Vivekanand Parvateeya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS) (2007): Mandua (Ragi) Kee
Vaigyanik Kheti, ICAR, Almora,
Worldwatch Institute (2009): State of the World 2009: Confronting Climate Change, London
Earthscan